Where questions, not answers, are the driving force in thinking. Socratic Seminars Where questions, not answers, are the driving force in thinking.

What does Socratic mean? Socratic comes from the name Socrates,   a classical Greek philosopher who developed a Theory of Knowledge: the surest way to attain reliable knowledge was through the practice of disciplined conversation…dialectic.

Dialectic means… Question and Answer the art or practice of examining opinions or ideas logically, often by the method of Question and Answer so as to determine their validity.

What is a Socratic Seminar? *a method used to understand information by creating dialectic in class regarding a specific text. Participants seek deeper understanding of complex ideas in text through rigorous thoughtful dialogue, rather than by memorizing bits of information.

The Text: *richness in ideas, issues, values and their ability to stimulate dialogue. A good text raises important questions. There are no right or wrong answers. At the end of successful Socratic Seminars, participants often leave with more questions than they brought with them.

The Question: question The Socratic Seminar opens with a question posed by the leader. Responses to the opening question generate new questions from the leader and participants, leading to new responses.

The Leader: *dual role as leader and participant. Keeps the discussion focused on the text by asking follow-up questions helping clarify positions when arguments become confused involving reluctant participants NOTE: Once the Seminar begins, it is my expectation that you all view yourselves as leaders, per the rubric.

The Participants: •preparing • participating •sharing •supporting *carry the burden of responsibility for the quality of the seminar. There are four ways to do this: •preparing • participating •sharing •supporting

How it works: Students arranged in a circle. Text given in advance. Understand the guidelines. Seminars are generally 45 minutes. Leader is ready with an opening question. Participants respond with textual evidence for support. Participants respond with questions to information they hear. Students raise hands. Reflect and Debrief. Accountability through final written piece.

Expectations of Participants: Did I….. Speak loudly and clearly? Cite reasons and evidence for my statements? Use the text to find support? Listen to others respectfully? Stick with the subject? Talk to others, not just to the “leader”? Paraphrase accurately? Avoid inappropriate language? Ask questions to clear up confusion? Support others? Avoid hostile exchanges? Question others in a civil manner? Seem prepared?

Helpful Sentence Starters To add to or build upon an idea To disagree or offer a new viewpoint In addition to what Hercules said… To piggy off of what Socrates said… Aristotle’s point about…made me also realize/consider… While Socrates’ point is interesting, I also wonder/think… In contrast to Plato’s perspective, I interpreted/viewed…. On one hand, it is valid that…, on the other hand, one could also argue that…

A Socratic Seminar is NOT a debate!

The difference between dialogue and debate: Dialogue is collaborative: multiple sides work toward shared understanding. In dialogue, one listens to understand, to make meaning, and to find common ground. Dialogue enlarges and possibly changes a participant's point of view. Debate is oppositional: two opposing sides try to prove each other wrong. In debate, one listens to find flaws, to spot differences, and to counter arguments. Debate defends assumptions as truth.

The difference between dialogue and debate: Dialogue creates an open-minded attitude: an openness to being wrong and an openness to change. In dialogue, one submits one's best thinking, expecting that other people's reflections will help improve it rather than threaten it. Debate creates a close-minded attitude, a determination to be right. In debate, one submits one's best thinking and defends it against challenge to show that it is right.

Homework: Make a list of 5 questions you’d like to ask during our Socratic Seminar 2 CLOSE-ENDED QUESTIONS: who, what, when, where (why, how)         Write a question about the text that will help everyone in the class come to an agreement about events or characters in the text. This question usually has a "correct" answer. 3 OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS: would, could, should, what if, (why, how)          Write an insightful question about the text that will require proof and group discussion and "construction of logic" to discover or explore the answer to the question.